Whiteboards, Models & Aha-Moments: How 40 Teenagers Helped Us Test the Toolkit

Here’s the thing about teenagers: they don’t pretend to like something just to be polite.

So when we brought the newly upgraded Love Land board game and Trainer Toolkit to a group of 40 Grade 8 learners at LEAP School, we braced ourselves.

Would they engage?
Would the content land?
Would the support materials actually help?

The answer?
A resounding “yes” with whiteboards up, hands raised, and reflections we didn’t even expect.

The setup:

We ran two group sessions with small breakout groups, giving each team the chance to dive into gameplay while exploring the physical items in our brand-new Trainer Support Box.

And because we’re serious about improvement, every single learner filled in a structured, anonymous feedback survey. (Yes, teenagers voluntarily writing feedback. That’s already a win.)

So, what did they say?

“I liked the game because it was fun but also helped me think.”
“The models made it easier to understand things we don’t talk about much.”
“The whiteboards made me feel like I was part of it.”

In short: they loved it.
And more than that; they understood it. They felt comfortable. They reflected.

They weren’t just playing a game.
They were learning, engaging, and processing complex topics in ways that felt safe, human, and fun.

What made the difference?

The toolkit worked.
Models, diagrams, and other hands-on aids helped bring abstract topics to life. It wasn’t just about hearing or reading; it was about seeing and touching. That multisensory support made it easier for learners to connect with the content.

Everyone had a voice.
Whiteboards weren’t just a gimmick. They gave every student the chance to participate in every round; no pressure, no spotlight, just contribution. The result? Full engagement, and far fewer drifting eyes.

Small groups = deeper learning.
Instead of one big, noisy session, we broke things down into intimate learning circles, where students felt safe to speak, reflect, and even ask the awkward questions.

Anonymous feedback = gold.
Honest answers. Useful data. Real stories. The kind of feedback that fuels not just improvement, but validation. We’re on the right track.